Boston Globe baseball writer Nick Cafardo previews the 2013 National League season, with teams listed in their predicted order of finish:

NL EAST

1. Washington

Clearly the most talented team in the NL with superstars Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond, etc. But there are some developing pockets of concern. For instance, CF Denard Span, starter Dan Haren, and relievers Drew Storen and Rafael Soriano didn’t perform well or played on a limited basis in camp. The Nationals have all sorts of depth with a strong minor league system.

2. Atlanta

If prospect Julio Teheran pitches up to his potential, which he did in camp, the Braves’ rotation could be lights-out. The bullpen is solid with Craig Kimbrel on the tail end. Catcher Brian McCann will be back from his shoulder surgery rehab by mid-April and the Upton brothers have created excitement. Dan Uggla needs to regain his power form. We’ll see if someone emerges from the 3B platoon.

3. Philadelphia

The big concern is Roy Halladay, who had reduced velocity in a poor spring training. An injured Halladay could derail the Phillies, who finally have a healthy Ryan Howard and Chase Utley in the lineup. The emergence of RF Domonic Brown has also been encouraging. The Phillies get catcher Carlos Ruiz back 25 games into the season after he serves a drug-related suspension. The bullpen’s good.

Chemistry rating: 4 — Healthy Howard, Utley create more wins.

2012: 81-81, 3d; Manager: Charlie Manuel (9th year)

LINEUP

HR

RBI

AVG.

OPS

SS

Jimmy Rollins

23

68

.250

.743

CF

Ben Revere

0

32

.294

.675

2B

Chase Utley

11

45

.256

.793

1B

Ryan Howard

14

56

.219

.718

3B

Michael Young

8

67

.277

.682

LF

John Mayberry

14

46

.245

.695

RF

Domonic Brown

5

26

.235

.712

C

Erik Kratz

9

26

.248

.809

ROTATION

W-L

ERA

K/9

WHIP

LH

Cole Hamels

17-6

3.05

9.0

1.124

RH

Roy Halladay

11-8

4.49

7.6

1.222

LH

Cliff Lee

6-9

3.16

8.8

1.114

RH

Kyle Kendrick

11-12

3.90

6.6

1.274

LH

John Lannan

4-1

4.13

4.7

1.439

CLOSER

SV.

ERA

K/9

WHIP

RH

Jonathan Papelbon

38

2.44

11.8

1.057

4. New York

The Mets have some good young players. Catcher Travis d’Arnaud and righty Zack Wheeler (oblique) will both will start at Triple A. David Wright injured himself in the WBC (intercostal) and the hope is he won’t be hampered long term. Johan Santana (shoulder) is likely to miss the season. If the Mets aren’t competitive, an ongoing story could be Terry Collins and his job security.

Chemistry rating: 2 — They lost R.A. Dickey and will likely struggle.

2012: 74-88, 4th; Manager: Terry Collins (3d year)

LINEUP

HR

RBI

AVG.

OPS

CF

Jordany Valdespin

1

8

.241

.710

2B

Daniel Murphy

6

65

.291

.735

3B

David Wright*

21

93

.306

.883

1B

Ike Davis

32

90

.227

.771

RF

Marlon Byrd

1

9

.210

.488

LF

Lucas Duda

15

57

.239

.718

C

John Buck

12

41

.192

.644

SS

Ruben Tejada

1

25

.289

.685

ROTATION

W-L

ERA

K/9

WHIP

LH

Jonathon Niese

13-9

3.40

7.3

1.172

RH

Shawn Marcum

7-4

3.70

7.9

1.266

RH

Dillon Gee

6-7

4.10

8.0

1.249

RH

Matt Harvey

3-5

2.73

10.6

1.146

RH

Jeremy Hefner

4-7

5.09

6.0

1.367

CLOSER

SV.

ERA

K/9

WHIP

RH

Frank Francisco

23

5.53

10.0

1.606

5. Miami

We all know what the Marlins did, so nobody expects much. All eyes will be on Giancarlo Stanton in terms of how many homers he’ll hit and where he might be traded. The Marlins were encouraged with outfielder Christian Yelich, who starts at Double A along with righty Jose Fernandez. Placido Polanco has fielded and hit well at third. Closer Steve Cishek is one of the best relievers in the game.

Chemistry rating: 2 — An unhappy Stanton, a team slapped together.

2012: 69-93, 5th; Manager: Mike Redmond (1st year)

LINEUP

HR

RBI

AVG.

OPS

LF

Juan Pierre

1

25

.307

.721

2B

Donovan Solano

2

28

.295

.717

RF

Giancarlo Stanton

37

86

.290

.969

3B

Placido Polanco

2

19

.257

.629

CF

Justin Ruggiano

13

36

.313

.909

1B

Casey Kotchman

12

55

.229

.612

C

Rob Brantly

3

8

.290

.832

SS

Adeiny Hechavarria

2

15

.254

.645

ROTATION

W-L

ERA

K/9

WHIP

RH

Ricky Nolasco

12-13

4.48

5.9

1.366

RH

Nate Eovaldi

4-13

4.30

5.9

1.508

LH

Wade LeBlanc

2-5

3.67

5.6

1.311

RH

Henderson Alvarez

9-14

4.85

3.8

1.441

RH

Kevin Slowey

INJURED IN 2012

CLOSER

SV.

ERA

K/9

WHIP

RH

Steve Cishek

15

2.69

9.6

1.304

NL CENTRAL

1. Cincinnati

As the most balanced team in the division, unless things fall apart, the Reds should contend with a strong rotation and a good lineup led by Joey Votto, who is healthy and should provide major production. The Reds toyed with making Aroldis Chapman a starter but have returned him to closer, which gives their bullpen a huge boost with Jonathan Broxton now the setup man.

Chemistry rating: 5 out of 5 — Nice rhythm to this team.

2012: 97-65, 1st; Manager: Dusty Baker (6th year)

LINEUP

HR

RBI

AVG.

OPS

CF

Shin-Soo Choo

16

67

.283

.815

2B

Brandon Phillips

18

77

.281

.750

1B

Joey Votto

14

56

.337

1.041

LF

Ryan Ludwick

26

80

.275

.877

RF

Jay Bruce

34

99

.252

.841

3B

Todd Frazier

19

67

.273

.829

ss

Zack Cozart

15

35

.246

.687

C

Ryan Hanigan

2

24

.274

.703

ROTATION

W-L

ERA

K/9

WHIP

RH

Johnny Cueto

19-9

2.78

7.1

1.171

RH

Bronson Arroyo

12-10

3.74

5.7

1.208

RH

Mat Latos

14-4

3.48

8.0

1.161

RH

Homer Bailey

13-10

3.68

7.3

1.240

RH

Mike Leake

8-9

4.58

5.8

1.352

CLOSER

SV.

ERA

K/9

WHIP

LH

Aroldis Chapman

38

1.51

15.3

0.809

2. Milwaukee

The Brew Crew can score, and getting Corey Hart (knee) back from injury in May will be important. If righthander Wily Peralta can live up to his billing, the rotation, though young, could have an Oakland feel, with Yovani Gallardo and late addition Kyle Lohse out front.
Jim Henderson, lefty Mike Gonzalez, and John Axford will finish for a team with potential.

3. St. Louis

The Cardinals didn’t re-sign Kyle Lohse, and have lost Chris Carpenter and Rafael Furcal for the season. But their rotation, led by Adam Wainwright, is still decent. Carlos Beltran, Matt Holliday, Allen Craig, Yadier Molina, and David Freese provide a strong lineup. Closer Jason Motte starts on the DL but the rest of the bullpen throws really hard.

4. Pittsburgh

Twenty years and counting. Without Houston in the division, can the Pirates break the longest losing streak in American pro sports? The Pirates improved their catching with Russell Martin and the offense could be decent with Neil Walker, Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez, and Garrett Jones. A.J. Burnett, Wandy Rodriguez, and James McDonald form a decent front three in the rotation.

Chemistry rating: 3 — There’s something amiss.

2012: 79-83 4th; Manager: Clint Hurdle (3d year)

LINEUP

HR

RBI

AVG.

OPS

LF

Starling Marte

5

17

.257

.737

C

Russell Martin

21

53

.211

.713

CF

Andrew McCutchen

31

96

.327

.953

3B

Pedro Alvarez

30

85

.244

.784

2B

Neil Walker

14

69

.280

.768

1B

Garrett Jones

27

86

.274

.832

RF

Travis Snider

4

17

.250

.697

SS

Clint Barmes

8

45

.229

.593

ROTATION

W-L

ERA

K/9

WHIP

RH

A.J. Burnett

16-10

3.51

8.0

1.241

LH

Wandy Rodriguez

12-13

3.76

6.1

1.269

RH

James McDonald

12-8

4.21

7.9

1.263

RH

Jeff Karstens*

5-4

3.97

6.6

1.147

LH

Jonathan Sanchez

1-9

8.07

6.3

2.088

CLOSER

SV.

ERA

K/9

WHIP

RH

Jason Grilli

2

2.91

13.8

1.142

5. Chicago

The rebuilding continues. The Cubs may be able to sell off Alfonso Soriano, Matt Garza (on DL), and closer Carlos Marmol. Some of the future — 1B Anthony Rizzo, C Welington Castillo, 2B Darwin Barney, and SS Starlin Castro — is present, as is some of the pitching, with Jeff Samardzija, Edwin Jackson, and Travis Wood. The next wave of prospects is about a year or two away.

Chemistry rating: 4 — Good vibe for a transitional team.

2012: 61-101, 5th; Manager: Dale Sveum (2d year)

LINEUP

HR

RBI

AVG.

OPS

CF

David DeJesus

9

50

.263

.753

SS

Starlin Castro

14

78

.283

.753

1B

Anthony Rizzo

15

48

.285

.805

LF

Alfonso Soriano

32

108

.262

.821

RF

Nate Schierholtz

6

21

.257

.728

C

Welington Castillo

5

22

.265

.754

3B

Luis Valbuena

4

28

.219

.650

2B

Darwin Barney

7

44

.254

.653

ROTATION

W-L

ERA

K/9

WHIP

RH

Jeff Samardzija

9-13

3.81

9.3

1.219

RH

Edwin Jackson

10-11

4.03

8.0

1.218

LH

Travis Wood

6-13

4.27

6.9

1.199

RH

Scott Feldman

6-11

5.09

7.0

1.383

RH

Carlos Villanueva

7-7

4.16

8.8

1.269

CLOSER

SV.

ERA

K/9

WHIP

RH

Carlos Marmol

20

3.42

11.7

1.536

NL WEST

1. San Francisco

The defending World Series champions still have that championship rotation, though repeating is difficult. If they can get something out of Tim Lincecum this season that just adds to it. GM Brian Sabean didn’t change much. He does his best work during the season when he needs to adjust.

Chemistry rating: 5 out of 5 — The ultimate chemistry team.

2012: 94-68, 1st; Manager: Bruce Bochy (7th year)

LINEUP

HR

RBI

AVG.

OPS

CF

Angel Pagan

8

56

.288

.778

2B

Marco Scutaro

7

74

.306

.753

3B

Pablo Sandoval

12

63

.283

.789

C

Buster Posey

24

103

.336

.957

RF

Hunter Pence

24

104

.253

.743

1B

Brandon Belt

7

56

.275

.781

LF

Gregor Blanco

5

34

.244

.676

SS

Brandon Crawford

4

45

.248

.653

ROTATION

W-L

ERA

K/9

WHIP

RH

Matt Cain

16-5

2.79

7.9

1.040

LH

Madison Bumgarner

16-11

3.37

8.3

1.114

RH

Tim Lincecum

10-15

5.18

9.2

1.468

RH

Ryan Vogelsong

14-9

3.37

7.5

1.228

LH

Barry Zito

15-8

4.15

5.6

1.389

CLOSER

SV.

ERA

K/9

WHIP

RH

Sergio Romo

14

1.79

10.2

0.849

2. Los Angeles

The Dodgers have the biggest payroll, but not necessarily the best team. Hanley Ramirez will miss the first two months, Chad Billingsley still has that precarious elbow issue, and Carl Crawford is Carl Crawford. Clayton Kershaw should be fine, but does Zack Greinke live up to expectations? LA should score runs and pitch fairly well, but can they unseat the Giants?

3. Arizona

Injuries to outfielders Cody Ross and Adam Eaton and No. 3 starter Wade Miley, who was dealing with a dead arm, will not get the Diamondbacks off on the right foot. Righthander Brandon McCarthy has shown no ill effects from the concussion suffered when he was hit by a line drive last September while with Oakland.

4. San Diego

Injuries are already derailing the Padres, who had a shot of contending. Their 3-4-5 hitters (Chase Headley, Carlos Quentin, Yasmani Grandal) are either hurt or suspended. Their top pitching prospect (Casey Kelly) is headed for Tommy John surgery. At least they have four healthy starters in Clayton Richard, Edinson Volquez, Jason Marquis, and Eric Stults.

Chemistry rating: 3 — A work in progress.

2012: 76-86, 4th; Manager: Bud Black (7th year)

LINEUP

HR

RBI

AVG.

OPS

SS

Everth Cabrera

2

24

.246

.648

RF

Will Venable

9

45

.264

.765

1B

Yonder Alonso

9

62

.273

.741

LF

Carlos Quentin*

16

46

.261

.877

2B

Jedd Gyorko

MINORS IN 2012

CF

Cameron Maybin

8

45

.243

.656

3B

Cody Ransom

11

42

.220

.722

C

Nick Hundley

3

22

.157

.464

ROTATION

W-L

ERA

K/9

WHIP

RH

Edinson Volquez

11-11

4.14

8.6

1.451

LH

Clayton Richard

14-14

3.99

4.4

1.235

RH

Jason Marquis

8-11

5.22

6.4

1.473

LH

Eric Stults

8-3

2.92

5.0

1.181

RH

Tyson Ross

2-11

6.50

5.6

1.814

CLOSER

SV.

ERA

K/9

WHIP

RH

Huston Street

23

1.85

10.8

0.718

5. Colorado

If there’s a positive it would be that with the exception of some minor aches and pains, the top players, such as Troy Tulowitzki, have remained healthy and Drew Pomeranz was effective in camp. Todd Helton is hoping to play 100 games, which would be a big boost for the offense. Utilityman Eric Young Jr. has had a good camp in the field; his speed and aggressiveness adds to the lineup.